After the official welcoming at Vasil Levski Airport this morning, the Bulgarian national volleyball team, who are vice-champions of the 2025 Men's World Championship in the Philippines, met with their fans at a special ceremony in front of the St. Alexander Nevsky cathedral in the center of Sofia. On the way to the square, the bus with the new volleyball legends was greeted wildly by pedestrians on the streets of the city. In front of St. Alexander Nevsky, the boys were welcomed by even more wild ovations. People chanted "Bulgarians-heroes" and waved the Bulgarian flag, asking for autographs and photos of the players.

The brilliant success of the youngest team of the championship, which did not allow a single loss before the final match against Italy, united the nation, which feverishly followed the matches on television.

"In the past two days we started to understand how things in Bulgaria are; how we have brought the people to the streets, for which I am grateful. I think this is the greatest reward for us," said the captain of the national team, Aleks Grozdanov, upon his arrival in Sofia.

"We must continue to work in the same way because otherwise we will have the opposite effect. The next season will be even more difficult, as we are no longer outsiders," coach Gianlorenzo Blengini said.

Expect an extended report on the welcoming of the Bulgarian national volleyball team on the Radio Bulgaria website tomorrow.

• Bulgaria is back on the world volleyball map – it is silver again after 55 years!

• The Bulgarian volleyball players were welcomed at the government terminal of Vasil Levski airport

Editor: Miglena Ivanova

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photo: BTA